Monday, April 28, 2014

[546] Lady Raiders’ scholar-athlete earns MTSU President’s Award

MURFREESBORO — An
outstanding member of the MTSU Lady Raiders basketball team who excels inside
and outside the classroom is the 2014 recipient of the President’s Award.

Laken Leonard of Whitleyville, Tennessee, was presented the
award Thursday (April 24) during the annual College of Basic and Applied
Sciences Awards’ Day in the James Union Building’s Tennessee Room.

Provost Brad Bartel presented the award to Leonard. Bartel filled
in as President Sidney A. McPhee was out of town on university business.

The President’s Award is the most prestigious honor given to
an MTSU student. The recipient must exemplify superior character and honor and
have made achievements that, ideally, all students should strive to meet. The
undergraduate student will have completed at least 90 credit hours, have a
minimum 3.0 GPA, be recognized as a campus leader and have made significant
contributions to the university community.

“I felt like it’s a great blessing and I felt honored,” said
Leonard, discussing her initial thoughts after learning in late March she would
receive the award.

“I really enjoyed MTSU as a whole,” said Leonard, a senior
who will graduate Saturday, May 10, in Murphy Center. “God placed me here for a
reason. The faculty here helped me. They were very understanding and patient.
They have a huge passion for what they do. … As for life on campus, I love
MTSU. It was a great experience.”

“I am excited to know Laken is this year’s recipient,”
McPhee said. “She is an exceptional student-athlete, who is committed to a
number of student organizations and community efforts. I know she will have a
great future and will be a great ambassador for the university.”

It marks the second award in the past two weeks for Leonard.
She was among 16 Conference USA athletes to earn Winter C-USA Spirit of Service
honors for not only her on-court and academic achievements, but also for
involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee, Greenhouse Ministries, Special Olympics and more.

After being nominated for the President’s Award and
interviewed by a Center for Student Involvement and Leadership awards
committee, she was asked what advice she would give to the new crop of entering
freshmen.

“Get out there and be involved from the start,” said
Leonard, whose mother, Candice, attended the awards ceremony. “Focus on your
studies to get a good start. Become a part of something — sorority or
fraternity life.”

Leonard will graduate with more than a 3.75 GPA in biochemistry
as a pre-pharmacy major. She plans to attend Belmont University’s College of
Pharmacy starting in August.

“Her
positive attitude, exceptional academic record and leadership qualities
exhibited while at Middle Tennessee State University make Laken an excellent
candidate for the President’s Award,” said College of Basic and Applied
Sciences Dean Bud Fischer, who also served as one of Leonard’s faculty mentors.

“I
think pharmacy’s my calling,” Leonard said, when asked if she might become a
coach one day because she is taking three coaching classes (football, tennis
and baseball) this spring. “I love camps and kids, but I don’t see myself as a
coach in the future.”

Born
in Lebanon, Tennessee, but a resident of Whitleyville (pop. 1,011) most of her
life, Leonard was Class A Miss Basketball and most valuable player when Jackson
County High School captured the 2010 TSSAA state championship in Murphy Center,
which would become her home court.

Leonard
started 16 games for the 29-5 C-USA regular season and tournament champion Lady
Raiders, averaging 6.7 points. Coach Rick Insell said she provided excellent
leadership.